1 Criminal probe urged: Political foes of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called Wednesday for prompt criminal investigation of his administration following a news report that his office thwarted attempts by his own special corruption commission to investigate groups with ties to him. The New York Times reported Wednesday that a top Cuomo aide, Larry Schwartz, pressured commissioners to stop subpoenas to a media-buying firm Cuomo used and to the Real Estate Board of New York, whose members financially supported the governor's campaign.

2 Base lockdown: Military officials locked down an Arkansas air force base for several hours Wednesday after reporting that a suspicious individual was on the sprawling complex near Little Rock, then reopened the base and said the threat was "no longer credible." During the lockdown, no one was allowed to enter or leave the base. Gates were closed and a line of vehicles stretched for a quarter-mile outside of the base. The base is a training site for personnel assigned to the C-130 cargo airplane and hosts the 19th Airlift Wing, the 314th Airlift Wing, the 29th Weapons Squadron and the Arkansas Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Wing. Three C-130s were diverted to Little Rock National Airport during the lockdown.

3 Computer woes: Six years ago the Social Security Administration embarked on an aggressive plan to replace outdated computer systems overwhelmed by a growing flood of disability claims. Nearly $300 million later, the new system is nowhere near ready and agency officials are struggling to salvage a project racked by delays and mismanagement.

4 Marriage equality: A federal judge in Denver declared Colorado's gay marriage ban unconstitutional Wednesday, but he temporarily put the ruling on hold to give the state until next month to seek an appeal. Judge Raymond P. Moore's ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by six gay couples who asked the court for an injunction ordering that the state's ban no longer be enforced.

5 Pig mask case: A New Jersey man was convicted Wednesday of fatally stabbing his ex-wife 84 times and covering her face with a pig mask. A Morris County jury deliberated for about three hours over two days before reaching its verdict. They found 66-year-old Anthony Novellino guilty of murder, hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence and two weapons offenses. He faces at least 30 years in prison when he's sentenced Sept. 12.

6 Michael Jackson school: Plans are in the works to name a school after Michael Jackson in the late pop star's Indiana hometown. The Gary Community School Board approved this week a memorandum of understanding with Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson. The agreement says the district "seeks to honor Michael Jackson and to inspire children to excel in the arts and education." District superintendent Cheryl Pruitt said she's working with the Jackson family on which school to rename.